Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2004
Album Summary
Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus is the thirteenth studio album by the Australian alternative rock band Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, released on 20 September 2004 on Mute Records. It is a double album of seventeen songs.
WikipediaA fun-sucker whose big ideas - as suggested by the title and horrifying run time of this one - are limited to the morbidly dramatic and lyrically mirthless. I didn't find a single line to grab on to. Occasionally the looming morbidity is effective - thuds reverberating in a tomb - but most of the time it feels like a 6-part documentary delivered entirley to camera by a single sad presenter. Docked a point for taking up so much of my life.
I really like Nick but the last album of his I got was in the late 90s. This is really quite good. He starts out by kicking you in the teeth - I'd be disappointed if he didn't. The shift from the Abattoir to the Orpheus disc is hard to miss as the string of ballads floats out. I prefer that he did this rather than mix the ballads amongst the charged up tunes. It's reminiscent of the many Buddha Bar double CD releases that labelled one CD "dinner" and the other "dance". You might be in the mood for Nick's ballads one night so you can choose the disc that gives this. And if you're in the mood for a kick in the teeth, Disc 1 is waiting.
Split into two parts, a greatly enjoyable collection of songs. Favorites are Get Ready for Love, Hiding All Away, Breathless, Babe, You Turn Me On, Easy Money, Supernatually, Carry Me & O Children.
Interesting concept album. Fees evergreen style-wise; alt/classic rock feel, dark vocals. Hits hard but not too gritty.
An amazing double album. So nice to remind myself of it’s greatness. Nick’s voice is incredible and the range of tracks, lyrics and vocals are second to none. I’ve previously heard ‘My Beautiful World’ described as the most perfect track ever recorded. It’s hard to argue against that.
Im currently convinced that Nick Cave can do no wrong. Im always amazed by his ability to create powerful moods with his music.
I love music that feels raw and passionate. There's such a draw to stuff like Amy Winehouse's black album or Adele's 19 or even some Johnny Cash where you can feel the pain the artist brings from their real life into the song. I'm not going to find myself singing any of these songs while doing the dishes, but listening to songs 2-4 is an experience you can feel in your soul. Music like this demands that you turn it up, close your eyes, and imagine yourself in a dark living room clutching a rocks glass of bourbon on the last night of your life. It's perfect for solo listening through headphones at volumes that will permanently damage your hearing. And you should, you should feel permanently damaged by this passion behind dark and brooding music.
This was really unexpected (and I found to be quite unique). Sort of reminds me of Xiu Xiu, but less despair. While it's not my favourite, I highly recommend giving it a listen, and for that alone, I'm rating it a 5.
Glorious, melodramatic, soaked in all kinds of gospel, from the euphoric to the hellfire & brimstone. Fave Track - "O Children", though I resent Harry Potter using it in the soundtrack 😠
No puedo escribir mucho de este álbum, sino que creo que es hermoso, en varios sentidos, de principio a fin (hablo de los dos discos). La voz de Nick Cave siempre me ha parecido fabulosa y aquí hay tantos moods, pero con una especie de cohesión. Mis favoritas diría que son "Hiding All Away", "Abattoir Blues", "Let the Bells Ring" y "O Children". Me hace falta escucharlo más y con más atención para cachar más de las letras. 10/10
ебааать, как охуенно... Это всё, чем Коэн должен был стать, обзаведясь полноценной электро-группой. Пока что, думаю, самый охуенный альбом из подборки. Причём он вообще не должен быть таким на бумаге. Ну типа это ебаный рак музыки — двойной альбом, при этом звук у всех инструментов почти всегда одинаковый, вокал тоже не шибко разнообразный, женские бэки одни и те же во всех треках. Но бля, как же идеально нащупана формула (к 13 альбому-то), что можно слушать полтора часа один и тот же звук и не уставать. Помимо Коэна сравнил бы с уже упомянутыми разок Swans, но только абсолютно лисенер-френдли (что немного абсурд, но я так чувствую), есть вот эта арт-энергия, но без песен по полчаса, балдеж же. Также, судя по всему, пластинка идёт в копилку альбомов, которые просто охуенно слушать, бродя по ночному городу (наряду с, например, You'd Prefer an Astronaut от Hum и Le troisième choix от Agora Fidelio). Вообще у меня создалась такая концепция альбома, что он начинается как будто вечером, проходит через фазу ночи и примерно в начале второго диска перетекает в утро, но всё-таки последние песни (особенно божественные Easy Money и Supernaturally) немного сбивают впечатление. Хз даже, что ещё говорить, оче мощная работа (хотя, конечно, под настроение). Ник Кейв в принципе был одним из исполнителей, ради которого я пошёл на этот эксперимент с альбомами, так как ранее его работ не слышал (только Джанкъярд мельком), и это был отличный повод. Ну хули, сыграла ставочка. 10/10
Another artist I’d been meaning to check out for years. I was way more into this than I was expecting. I like how each “disc” has its own distinct feel.
Not only is this the first time I got an artist twice, but in the same week too! And I'm a big Nick Cave fan so this is perfect. Another really great album
pretty good I have to say, it's a bit hard to listen to but in a good way. It's like one of those parties that make you uncomfortable cause everyone is doing drugs and making out, but its also very very interesting, and everyone is open and accepting.
Hard to categorize. Old fashioned. It’s like gospel for disaffected atheists and agnostics. Nick Cave has amazing voice. Makes monotone sound interesting. GREAT lyrics. “I dunno what art is, but I know what I like. And I like this.”
Amazing production depth, with gospel tinged backing vocals and guitars at the fore, and drums quite in the background. Nick has an uncanny ability to change gears on the feel mid flight, like when that chorus kicks in on "There She Goes, My Beautiful World". AndRIP Conway - nice to hear you twinkling the ivories in there.
A stunning album - I was bowled over. I was expecting a maudlin, moody, introspective album of ballads and whilst there is a bit of that on the second side, this is an energetic, toe tapping, bluesy record which sounds fantastic - like they are being chased by demons and have to get this music out fast! The gospel backing is wonderful and the band just sounds phenomenal jamming together. I think it’s a five star album. A classic.
Love it! This was actually my first Nick Cave & Bad Seeds record. This is a classic in my book. I forget how good this record is from time to time but it's so great from top to bottom. Glad it made the list.
I was skeptic on Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, but after listening to this album I’m pleasantly surprised: there are some great songs (There she goes, Lyre of Orpheus, Hiding all Away, Carry me) and the general level of this album is very high. Happy that I took the time to listen to this album, although I dread Nick’s songwriting on Ghosteen.
Rating: 9/10 Best songs: Get ready for love, Cannibal’s hymn, There she goes, my beautiful world, Carry me, O children
The debate is whether to award this four or five stars. Yes, that requires explanation. Here, we have a double album, or perhaps more accurately two albums in one package. The first, Abattoir Blues, despite the Grand Guignol name, is a full-blooded rock 'n roll, bluesy stomp of a record. The first album also benefits from an uncommon quality in rock: it's got a sense of humour. The opener Get Ready For Love raucously juxtaposes Christian expression with rockstar strutting. Hiding All Away has the very chucklesome verse: You searched through all my poets From Sappho through to Auden I saw the book fall from your hands As you slowly died of boredom The worst fault you could say about the first album is that there are touches of filler (Nature Boy, the first single, didn't really raise my skirt), but that smacks of nitpicking. The second album, The Lyre of Orpheus, is a softer, more delicate work, with more acoustic numbers, but of equally high quality as the first. Whereas the first invigorates, the second beguiles. Indeed, the second's stock consists of sincere, sometimes plaintive, sometimes jaunty love songs (the video to Breathless has Nick Cave dancing with cartoon toy rabbits). And again, the nitpick is over the occasional track being somewhat fillersome. So what does this mean in the final summary? Are these albums to be assessed as two great albums in a twofer? Two great single works that don't really fuse together? A quintessential case of a double album missing true greatness by a cat's pube just out of its overlong nature? Fuck it, I'll be generous. Five stars it is. (And yes, the star system for rating anything is moronic, especially stars).
Powerful and sentimental. This has by far become my favorite Nick Cave project. The choir, the strings, Nicks singing, the perfect playing, everything works so well to creature this dramatical and emotional piece. Highy recommended!
18th November 2021 Started on the way to meeting Harry in Covent Garden before seeing a show at the donmar (rubbish) finished on Saturday on the way to meet sav for golf in battersea Park. This is sumptuous. Dark, gothic, gospel, bluesy, unbelievable. Nick cave has an ability to stretch his music through time, it sounds like something that ancient Greeks would have listened to.
Wow. The first time I've ever really connected with him. Tastefully loud, full of energy perfectly arranged, beautiful harmonies, very weird but very cool lyrics. It's all beginning to make sense.
Nick Cave knows how to deliver, I’ve heard The Boatman’s Call, No More Shall We Part, and now this gem of an album it was a lot more upbeat than I expected, the other two were kinda slow and sweet all three of these albums are 10/10 tho I really love this guy, he has such a sweet sound, I can’t wait to hear more of his stuff
I already listen to about Nick Cave, but I never got the hype on his work and never understood why he is so appreciated. From now on, this album made my mind and I got everything. It's so strong and powerful that I understood exactly all the hype around. I'll keep my radar open for Nick Cave now and I'll also recommend it to everyone. The second part of the album is a little bit repetitive and too much longer for a perfect record, but the first part compensates for any possible "error".
Such a great album. My favorite of his musically. Of course Cave's lyrical magic is here as usual and this time the music is just as magical. The songs are accessible with loads of hooks and some of his most memorable melodies. This is the album that could make a fan of a no -fan. 5 🌟
Largely brilliant, veering from deranged gospel to sensitive ballads, all dripping with personality and menace. When it works it's amazing, just as with most double albums, no matter how good they are they tend to drag on and overstay their welcome. I'm left thinking it could have been one of the great single albums, but I'm not quite sure what should have been left out.
Abattoir Blues sits on The Lyre of Orpheus like a chair, but it's a very nice chair. An albums (?) that I'll be going back to.
An album of two halves. The first half is back-to-back bangers. The second more moody/reflective/Cave-like. Ends on a cracking high. The best of the Bad Seeds so far.
One of the best albums ever made and the showcase of everything Nick Cave has to over.
I wasn't impressed with the first song, but as I kept listening the album really grew on me. It's very tight and the lyrics are poetic. The performance is dramatic and very enjoyable. By the end of the album, I loved it.
L'album le plus sous-côté de Nick Cave Prefs: Cannibal's Hymn, There She Goes, My Beautiful World, Nature Boy, Abattoir Blues, The Lyre of Orpheus, Breathless, Supernaturally, O Children Moins pref: Fable of the Brown Ape
Great upbeat background music that you suddenly find yourself dancing and singing to. Full sound with choir. Great album. High quality.
Nick Cave continues to be the vampire bandleader we need, and not the vampire bandleader we deserve. This whole double album is stellar. I liked it more than Murder Ballads. Not every song is a classic, but if I gave MB a 4, then I guess this one's a 5. Nearly 500 albums in my rating system is all fucked up. But I'm happy to be here with my vampire friend.
This time I am giving it five stars because I really like it, and not just because I respect the artist's work too much to take any stars from it. But I also truly respect the work to put this album together. What a blast.
Nick Cave is a name I've heard a lot and I've never heard a single song. I also saw just last weekend, he lost his 2nd son which is very tragic. Going in I had no idea what to expect, but I was thinking it would be kind of an Indie/Alternative type album. He's more of a crooner, with a strong backing band in the Bad Seeds. The cacaphony of sound that comes up in quite a few songs, aggressive instrumentals behind a baritone voice, it all comes together really well. I really liked this, I didn't add anything to the playlist since it's a bit intense but I would definitely revisit and check more of his discography.
I sure enjoyed this album. I actually listened to it twice and paid more attention to the lyrics on the second listen. I feel like I went to church, attended a protest, had a reality check (especially with the song that had the frappuccino line). I'm glad to be reminded of Nick Cave because I really haven't listened to him much although I knew him from the theme song on Peaky Blinders. I'm definitely going to listen to the rest of his albums. I also really like the vocals with the choir.
a big fan of Nick Cave this is one of my fave albums and probably the only successful double album I've encountered on this book/app thang so far. I've got it on cd one is pink the other yellow. Nick takes us to hell and back again, in what is quite an expansive album. What I love about Nick is his storytelling, so visceral and compelling. weirdly I sometimes don't think of it as music, but more poetry stories put to music, but that's wrong they are integral to both. and each song is a story, from the menancing fable and lyre of orpheus to the majestic beautiful world. The songs explore finite and nuanced worlds with humour, darkness and pathos in equal measure. The music acts as the driving force for these stories, weird instruments and driving guitars create a sound that simple yet complicated, discordant yet melodic. like Nick Cave its contradictions that makes it so wonderful.
Never heard a Nick Cave album before but I enjoyed the fusion of raucous and menacing instrumental backing mixed with gospel tinged backing vocals. He's not the greatest singer but he knows his range and his gruff style suits the shady material on this dense, well produced album. Lyrics are forebodingly romantic. The music on the latter disc is a much more subtle, mellow affair. All in all, it's a solid double album of two sides and a very enjoyable record.
Very much a toe dipper in the world of Nick Cave, I like what I hear but not delved into the albums. So why not start with a double album, yeah. First track is surprisingly raucous, though I know he's got that side clearly, Birthday Party, Grinderman. And it's great. Few tracks in, loving the vibe. Oh my god, There She Goes my Beautiful World, how have I never heard this before, this is fuckin ace. Nature Boy I have heard and it's fabulous. This is so great. Second half sounds different but still has some bangers, Spell being the most obvious, just wonderful. So at the end of it, happily knew several tracks so I've not been totally missing out, but what a great, warm album, altogether. Going on the list.
Kan ik ook 6 sterren geven? Dit is echt mijn favoriete Nick Cave plaat, en zelfs een van de beste albums die ik ken. Staat geen slecht nummer op, en dat voor een dubbel-album. Fantastisch!
Dit is de reden dat ik elke dag benieuwd ben naar een nieuw plaatje: Geweldig dubbel album van Nick Cave. Ik kende alleen Let love in, maar deze is misschien nog wel beter.
This is a joy to listen to, all the more because I have not heard much Nick Cave previously. Such a strong set of songs, instantly memorable, diverse, intelligent intriguing lyrics, superbly backed up by the music. I will definitely be buying some Nick Cave vinyl!
My favourite Nick Cave album. Gorgeous song after gorgeous song. Beautiful melodies, tastefully simple near perfect arrangements including backing vocals. And of course Nick Cave's beautiful lyrics. 5 🌟
most of the songs here are individually really good (i like the gospel influences a lot) but as a whole this album is in a really weird place. it's too disjointed to really flow well at all, but it's too homogenous to use that as a strength (there's not that much difference between abattoir blues and the lyre besides one having electric guitar and one not). it doesnt help that its like 80 minutes long when all the progression is so disjointed. also theres enough albums that arent quite as good as the rest, or just have mediocre sections in them i cant give this anywhere near a bad score and maybe it just wasnt clicking hard enough but i cant help but feel like there was a better album here somewhere. w/e its still good just maybe not all at once
Pretty long (it is a double album). Love the choral elements, Nick's voice works wonderfully with the sound of a full choir. Can be a little repetitive, but gives me the feeling of gospel music at times. 3.5 stars. Favorite tracks: "Hiding All Away", "Supernaturally", "Carry Me", "O Children"
A double album that could (should?) have been a single album. I really enjoyed the songs with the backing choir. Best track: There She Goes, My Beautiful World
An unexpected banger, I love the bass on this album, and of course the lyrics have been amazing. Standouts are Get Ready For Love, Hidden Away, Breathless, and O Children
Very strong as double albums go. Glad to have heard Breathless for the first time in a long time
He did not have to go so hard on There she goes🔥🔥; slow burn until Abattoir where it finds its stride. Title tracks great, good listen.
Very nice album. Two halves sound different which was nice More lively than the more recent stuff I'm familiar with. Great
Kinda Jesus-y? - Maybe just the first song. Pretty rocking though. Feels like something I would've been into in my early 20's. Maybe revisit this.
Couple of tracks I really didn't like but 6 or 7 that I loved (everything from track 5 onwards basically)
Slightly weirder rock than I go for, but good. I could see some of these songs on a soundtrack or something.
Vaikken mikään valtava Nick Cave fani olekaan, niin tämä levy on aina maistunut mainiosti. Räväkämmät biisit (Get Ready for Love, Nature Boy, There She Goes My Beautiful World yms) ovat aivan timanttia. Tällä levyllä myös Caven synkistelybiisit toimii paljon paremmin kuin yleensä. Vahva nelonen mutta ei kuitenkaan ihan vitosen arvoinen pienen epätasaisuuden takia.
I listened to Nick Cave once and thought he wasn't for me, but I really liked this album. I'm going to go back and listen to more. Some great moments, and his raw emotion really works for me here.
i can't hear them now without seeing peaky blinders in my mind. this is not a bad thing. i also never really realized how much his voice sounds like richard thompson's.
Vraiment bon. Il y toutes sorte de truc incroyable dans cet album. Une reecoute est de mise mais un bon 4.75*
What an album! Love the dirgey, bluesy ballads, the dense dark lyrics, the gospel singers, the occasional string arrangements and the head-on collisions with cacophonic guitars on the first disc. Over the years I’ve been an appreciator, but not necessarily a fan of Nick Cave. I'll be listening to this one a lot. I would have given it a 5 but Sue says it's a 4. More like a 9/10.
Lamantablemente no terminé a tiempo de escuchar todo el disco, pero he de decir que me gusta la vibrita malota de varias canciones, a ratos rock star mood a ratos dark folk. Mood: Haciedo rituales ocultistas en un bosque gringo lleno de rednecks.
Really enjoyed this. I like the contrast between the two discs. Much more accessible than I would have thought. I like the story telling in the songs. A previously un-listened to album and artist that I am sure I will be returning to.
I love Nick Cave. But I have always struggled with the first half of this double album. I love the 2nd half. But the 1st half does have my beautiful world on which is majestic tune. 4/5 mainly as the man’s a genius.
Pretty good! I think it slows down a bit during the second album (I prefer the first album/part), but it's still enjoyable enough all the way through.
Enjoyed this. Didn’t know what to think at first. Was way better than I would have imagined. I’m not familiar with any other work he’s done, but this has intrigued me to delve a little further.
Kyllä tämän miehen äänessä tiettyä karismaa on. Levyltä jäi mieleen erityisesti Nature Boy.
Pakko sanoa, etten ollut koko miehestä tahi yhtyeestä kuullut. Tykkäsin kuitenkin musiikista, useampi erittäin miellyttävä biisi!
Kyllähän tää ihan toimii. Levyssä on tavaraa paljon. Tätäkin pitäisi varmaan jaksaa pyöritellä useamman kerran spotifyssa ennenkun aukeaa kunnolla.
Each song is so good, with none feeling out of place. The gospel gives it an extra punch without overstaying its welcome, and the production is exquisite. Enjoyed the first half compared to the second, but still easily my favorite album so far.
Nick Cavella olisi varmasti paljon sellaista tuotantoa, mitä ei ole edes kuullut. Hieno tulkitsija, kova biisinikkari ja varmasti löytyy autotallista siisti Civic. Useampi biisi tarttui levylaukkuun tältäkin levyltä. Melkein teki mieli antaa 5, mutta 4,5 pyöristyy tällä kertaa alaspäin.
Listened without the ability to look at song titles so I can't reference individually (except The Lyre of Orpheus, a high point, and I looked up Spell cause I like the sound of that one too), but overall this is good! It's definitely too much, though I don't remember obvious low points. Think I prefer disc 2 over 1. It's very much a 3.5 and I waffled on which way to split that, but I'll give it a 4 cause it's never bad and it's very good often enough.
Amazing lyrics. Great rock. Hard to pick just three tracks. An exceptional first half, but the second just slows the pace and the songs aren't quite as strong. Best Tracks: Get Ready For Love, Hiding All The Way, There She Goes My Beautiful World
Dark, funny, aggressive, pretty. An accomplished and spellbinding album. Enjoyed every minute of it.
Почему-то в русскоязычной Википедии у альбома стоят такие жанры как "пост-панк", "готик-рок". У меня, конечно, размытые представления об этих жанрах, однако даже ноты ни того, ни сего я вроде бы не услышал. В англоязычной вики вместо "пост-панка" указаны "alternative rock" и "blues rock", что уже больше похоже на правду. Но готик всяко остался. Ну да хуй с ним. Альбом неплох, хорош. Кажется прям дохуя длинным, массивным, жирным. Треки годные, прокачался, но никуда особо сильно не залип. Похоже на то, чему я мог бы при более близком изучении поставить пять. Но ныне по эмоциям пока не настолько сильно отбивается.
Confession time: I've never knowingly listened to a full album by Nick Cave with or without his Bad Seeds. Why is that? Have I been put off by the fanatical devotion him and his Seeds seem to elicit? Maybe. Either way I was wrong and stupid not to.
Have only listened to boatman’s call and ghosteen before and love both. This is a different kettle of cocoa altogether. Much more elecky guitar and rocky riffs. Some beautiful raw emotion in there. I will want to listen to this more as some tracks really caught me. Very fine indeed
I went into this with very low expectations since I had never heard of it and it didn't initially seem like something I would listen to, but I actually really enjoyed it. There she goes, my beautiful world was the real standout for me.
The extreme rock n roll takes your mind to a good place. Nice vocals and instrumental tunes.
Long double album but a great one! Really liked the vibe/atmosphere of the album, every song has its place on the album and is minimum a decent song
I'm a huge Nick Cave fan, and I've listened to Abattoir Blues quite a bit, but I haven't given The Lyre of Orpheus its due in close to a decade as the slower of the two companion pieces. Revisiting it now that Cave has released albums like Ghosteen and Carnage puts it in a very different light. Orpheus is still the weaker half, but it has a warmth not present in some of his more recent somber outings. While I overall prefer the Blixa era of the Bad Seeds, this is still a great album.
-"Get Ready For Love" is very catchy and just great overall. Totally sounds like something right out of the 80's -"Hiding All Away" has some seriously heavy guitar that totally seems like metal, but the song seems overall in the rock category. Very cool -Great heavy drop in in "Fable of the Brown Ape" -I like the subverted expectations on the lines "Orpheus looked at his instrument/And he gave the wire a pluck/He heard a sound so beautiful/He gasped and said 'Oh my God'" -"There She Goes, My Beautiful World" jams -Some songs were pretty cool, some were less cool, but overall it was a solid album
Normaal niet zo een Nick cave fan. Vind hem altijd wat overrated. Dit vind ik wel goed, wat meer up tempo.
The abattoir blues section of this album was awesome. It reminded me a lot of meatloafs bombastic, operatic rock music and I would’ve given it a five. Unfortunately, the second half of the album slows down and becomes much more like the boatman’s call, which I’m less fond of. Overall, it’s still a solid album but the first half is much much better. Fav songs: get ready for love, hiding all away
I've never been able to get into Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds. I always found their music to be too dark, too dense and antagonistically difficult to listen to, so I didn't have high hopes for this. I was wrong. It's a great record and one I'll probably listen to again. Not a flawless 5 for me but really good nonetheless. O Children in particular was a standout for me.
Was never a big fan of Nick Cave and really didn't understand why people liked him. After listening to this album I finally got it. Not really my kind of thing, but now at least I understand what the hype was about.
Malo jesam slušo al po sjećanju ocjena. Špiljo je jeben i točka, a u ovom albumu ima pun kurac bezvremenskih hitova.
Bio bih lud da dam trojku, al opet nije ni jaka cetvorka. Drugi dio albuma odnosno The Lyre of Orpheus > prvi dio albuma odnosno Abattoir Blues. Oba super na svoj način, ali više volim The Lyre of Orpheus Cavea.
Jako mi se svidio album od početka do kraja ali mi nešto fali za peticu. Ali inače prekrasan album. Tekst, glazba i gospel zbor su intenzivno vodili ljubav i stvorili ovaj jako lijepi album. Go Australia! 🇦🇺
I was a late getting into Nick Cave and this is where I entered. Driving across the Nullarbor in the late afternoon, chasing the sun, windows down to compensate for the lack of air con and this blasting out, counting the road kill per km to pass the time and the continuous terror of WA road trains.
An epic album, at least in length, but really highlights Cave's strengths as a songwriter and performer. Bowie-esque in parts, but still a distinct and unique sound.
Pas tellement mon genre, mais je comprends le hype autour de Nick Cave. La complexité des compositions et son style unique sont clairement des points à souligner et respecter
Supernatural og O children bra sanger. Veldig poetisk, så må nok sette av en kveld og lese teksten på sangene samtidig som jeg hører på dem
If you're a fan this double album (really two separate albums) is one you'll already own. If you're not a fan, try this. If you're not a fan afterwards, go away.
You know, I'm not much of a fan of double albums or albums that clock in over an hour. Not Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus though. This is a surprisingly compelling collection of songs that kept me rapt all the way to the end, it's so well done. It takes a song or two to settle into the mood of this one, which is contemplative, lusty, irreverent and spiritual all at once. But once you get in there, it's a real pleasure to listen to. Personally, I favored the second half of songs (Lyre). Musically the album is gorgeous, with rich arrangements and splendid musicianship. I don't know if Cave or Conway Savage does more of the piano on this album, but it's absolutely lovely. Warren Ellis also adds some real multi-instrumental depth to these songs. I also really like the strong backing vocals, which I didn't initially care for. They really grew on me by the end of the album though. Cave's songwriting is elegant and poetic. As a songwriter, he is among the best of his generation. He has a way of turning a phrase that few songwriters have. Fave Songs: Messiah Ward, Spell, Breathless, Easy Money, Carry Me, Babe, You Turn Me On, Let the Bells Ring, Cannibal's Hymn
I liked the first half better than the second. Some good tunes in here though, and a good introduction to Nick Cave. Interesting guy with a lot of music. Will be returning.
Very good album. Almost too long. Whittled down a little maybe could have been perfect.
Enjoyed this much more thoroughly than The Happy Birthday early days...From the first track was more into this.
It’s a grower. Gets better as it goes on as well, so I guess I prefer The Lyre of Orpheus more than Abattoir Blues Tunes are what you’d expect from Nick Cave. Enjoyed it.
Killer gothic rock. This album is just wall to wall filled with jams and killer songwriting.
For those playing along you may notice I loathe a double album, this one didn’t hurt like normal. First half was a little rocky blusier and the second half more mellow all along feeling like a good gothy time
4/5 25/04/22 I liked how half was headbanging Aussie rock music with a touch of humor, to then be followed with more love music type, the contrast was satisfying. I did not know the song from Deathly Hallows with Harry and Hermione is on the album.
I've had a lot of long albums lately, and finally one that I really want to listen to. I checked this out from the library once and for some reason disc 1 was missing, so I'm actually quite familiar with disc 2 while I haven't really heard disc 1. In any case, I liked both, although after one listen I think I prefer the more nuanced, mellow style of disc 2. Regardless, Nick Cave is never boring. 4 stars.
Interesting album. Would be a great background album. Not something I'd listen to every day, but I liked it more than I didn't like it. I feel like I need half stars. This would be like a three and a half to me.
I’ve never listened to Nick Cave before. This album is quite good and I think it makes me want to do a deep dive into his work.
Like millions of other Nick Cave fans (presumably), my first real taste of The Bad Seeds was hearing O Children on Harry Potter... That might well still be my favourite track on here, but it's got some stiff competition. It's hard to gauge whether there's a thematic concept in each disc or if they're just split on musical lines. Abattoir Blues is the better of the two, with both its loud chaotic bits and loud euphoric bits hitting the spot, but after a couple of listens I believe there's plenty to enjoy on both. The music is very rich but still accessible - much more so than the album title and cover may suggest. Honestly, even as a fan of the artist who was familiar with a few of these tracks I was surprised by how consistently I enjoyed the whole package. 4.5
Abattoir Blues has a raucous noisy start then good bluesy old fashioned rock n roll. Enjoyable. Lyre of Orpheus is more eclectic and perhaps richer for it. A second listen beckons. Overall a good impression.
Lovely stuff. Thanks Nick. I feel like I should have read the lyrics in preparation for listening because the odd line I picked up was highly literate, but snippets here and there didn't coalesce into anything sensible.
I was very excited to listen to Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds as they are relatively unknown to me. I enjoyed the music very much and will definitely be giving it multiple replays to figure out which songs I like the best.
This is seriously good and looking at his discography I've got a lot of listening to do. Beautiful arrangement, some amazing blues especially on the first album, I love his use of backing vocals. The second album seems a bit more laid back...Strong.
Anything by Nick Cave and his entourage will be magnificent. This one in particular I have not listened from his catalog and I'm glad to have given it a whirl. For a double record it does an amazing job keeping it interesting for the entire thing. I may need further listens since Nick Cave albums are always so dense but I can already tell I love this.
Let the bells ring é boa. The Lyre of Orpheus tem uma introdução interessante... possível vocal. Breathless. O Children muito boa também. Disco 2 é melhor e tem mais material
Dat koor erbij vind ik geweldig. Doet me aan Leonard Cohen denken. Dit dubbelalbum heb ik een jaar of 15 geleden van mijn geliefde gekregen en heeft een speciale plek in m’n hart.
enjoyed this a lot. definitely some higher energy on the first album, and it is strong all the way through (though brown ape was a bit off). highlights for me were messiah ward and let the bells ring. Second disc was also good (the lyre was a little challenging), but otherwise solid start to finish. Liked easy money and supernaturally. I thought the album had a lot of layers and the backing vocals/harmonies were very well done. nicely produced.
Had no idea what to expect with this one, but was pleasantly surprised and really enjoyed it! Should have known, as Brooks hated it lol
The melodies are nice enough and Nick does his thing from the first track, but nothing really caught my attention until Let the Bells Ring. Seven songs to get to the point is a shame, because the two remaining tracks on the first disc and the entire second are great music. Even Lyre doesn't set off my melodrama detectors like Murder Ballads did in full. The Lyre of Orpheus could very well be my gateway into the Bad Seeds, but on first look back-loading a record this badly is not forgivable.
Went into it not expecting to like it but the album definitely has its moments. Felt like it went on for way too long though
Det här var faktiskt mycket bättre än det förra Nick Cave albumet (som ju ligger färskt i minnet).
Not my style. More storytelling through song and almost seemed a bit like a parody. Made me think of a serious TROGDORRRR or Flight of the Conchords. I'm sure there are deeper messages, just not my style, though it grew on me as it played.
Interesting album. Not a common sound, but at times sounded like some of the more downbeat Johnny Cash.
Not what I was expecting after Murder Ballads. I loved the uptempo tracks here - reminded me of Lullaby-era QotSA. Think the slow tracks dragged on way too much though
An epic of an album but not really into gothic rock and some of the references to mythology went over my head
Not all songs are intresting. But there are some songs that I liked. This album was released in the Netherlands but I think I stopt following music more closely after the year 2000. So I had not heard the album before, and had not heard of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds.
good energy, compelling composition. progressive rock music. rest of disco is probably good
second half was better, there was definitely some cool stuff in here, but I couldn't find myself latching on to anything.
No era el disco que me apeteciera escuchar en ese momento pero seguí con él. Si bien el primer disco no me terminó de llamar la atención, excepto "Nature Boy". El segundo disco más tranquilo me hizo recuperar el interés. "Breathless", "Easy Money" y "O Children" merecen la pena. Volveré a escuchar este disco.
Hey Nicki, kill your darlings. Jeder zweite Song edel, dafür gefühlt jede ungerade Nummer etwas verzichtbar. Durchschnittliche 2.5
4 stars for abattoir blues for having a couple of bangers. 3 stars for lyre of orpheus for being a bit too arty for my taste
Tuesday album haiku: OK Rock n Roll ### Here is a lame Ass haiku ### Three stars for this disc ###
Reminds me of a less good Meatloaf some how. Needs to be more ballad-y and weird and it would be good
I liked the funky sound this album had to it, and none of the tracks were too terribly bad to me. None of the tracks really pulled me in and got me tapping my feet or had lyrics I particularly appreciated, either. Perfectly average at 2.5, bumped up to 3 cause I like the funkiness
I liked this one much more than the other album I already listened to of his. Less lovey-dovey, more rock type beat
This is the second Nick Cave album I’ve had on this thing and the first suffered from being long and very dull - this is long but nowhere near as dull - some great tracks and I love his voice - need to explore more
I liked it! Definitely commands your attention. It's a little weird to listen to with other people though. Favorite track is the Lyre of orpheus and the she goes my beautiful world.
This guy screams "I have a loyal and dedicated fan base." Somehow reminded me of both David Byrne and Dave Matthews. Pretty fun album over all.
Not the type of music I expected from the album cover. I thought it would be kind of like NFR! I guess, soft songs with nice pianos. Instead it was more of a rock album. It was pretty good, a lot of tracks I enjoyed. However, it’s pretty long. Overall, I probably won’t ever listen to it again, but I did enjoy it today.
Ok, haut mich ned um Teilweise erinners mich an springsteens Nebraska vom Ton und der Stimmung
Wasn't really looking forward to this, a Nick Cave double album sounds like a bit of a chore. But I enjoyed both, one after the other. First album is loud and sleazy rock, the second is quieter with some touches of soul. A strong 3 for me.
Some nice, blues-based rock here. I’ve admired Nick Cave when I’ve come across him before, but never really dig deep. Now that I have with this effort, I find Nothing that jumps out of the speakers, but still appreciate the solid effort. Stylistically, it’s really two different albums, with a personal preference for the softer Lyre of Orpheus second disc, though I really dig Messiah Ward from the Abattoir Blues disc.
Rip-roaring opener. A la the opening to 'Baby Driver'. Vocals don't stand super tall on their own, but when aligned with bombastic instrumentals and supporting vocals the sound as a whole elevates. Six songs in, growing on me a TON. Got a rock-opera sound without as much of a focus on the vocals, so maybe almost more like a classic rock record. Something like 'Foxy Shazam' or 'The Protomen', but before 2000. Didn't listen to the back half as closely as the front, some of the elements started to blend together a little bit. Some rock-solid tracks in the list - probably worth a revisit. Don't wanna get into a habit of this, but I think this is a great example of a 3/5.
Definitely something new to me. Impressive length, very interesting lyrics. The second half is amazing
Takes time to grow on me. Not crazy about any of the songs, but the production and songwriting stuck out to me, and the gospel backing vocals are used well and reinforce the haunting feel that compliments the inspiration from blues rock and gothic rock. No song overstays its welcome, but I think this is more of a compilation of powerful songs, where most of the songs don't belong in this format, as it could be overwhelming for the listener. Makes them sound the same, excluding those exceptional unique moments. "Fable of the Brown Ape" is a good compliment song (innovative yet short and mild), but it is at an awkward place between the two halves. As poetic as it may be, I think he tries a little hard on his songwriting to make it look impressive by directing attention to the same literary techniques and analogies, and it can come off as pretentious. Mood softens in the second half, which makes it slightly more accessible, but is also more forgettable. I think "O Children" sounds really great, and I'm not a Harry Potter fan. Favorite Songs: Get Ready for Love, Nature Boy
The first song sounds like a third rate Buster Poindexter. After suffering through that one, each song just kept getting better. There's a 5 star album in here somewhere (my word, this did NOT need to be a double album). Tighten up that setlist a bit Nick and you'll have an album that borders on classic territory.
Wasn't aware that his was a genre, but some great stuff in terms of songwriting, composition, and overall vibe. Comes across as vaguely familiar and almost classic, but suffers from the number of tracks and ambition to an extent.
Feel like a gospel album that is out of touch with Religion. I am always a pretty big fan of Nick caves' vocals. Especially on this one. I tend to dislike double albums a bit, I feel like they are too long. But this one is okay I guess. Especially because they feel pretty distinct. It's a solid double album as far as im concerned.
Mageita viboja ajoittain ja meikäläisen tuotannossa olis puolet biiseistä tippunut pois.
Second Listen. Very good album. Their sound is growing on me. Standouts: Hiding All Away. Messiah Ward, Abattoir Blues, Let the Bells Ring, The Lyre of Orpheus,
Oddly sparse for a double album, but I always love Nick Cave’s delivery and lyricism. 5/10
Some lovely melodies and lyrics but I find Cave's voice a little too 'showy' to fully lose myself. Will revisit
First song had me thinking I was going to hate this entire album but it wasn't that bad.
Starts in a more rock’n’roll manner than I was prepared for, but a nice but long album.
This is a hard one. I liked it but at the same time it felt like a real chore to get through. Why did this have to be a double album? Feels like it's two separate albums just smashed together for fun. This is my second Nick Cave album and my previous opinion was low and this album improved it a bit. It's much more bearable this time around and it's certainly listenable to. But again, it's way too damn long. If it was split into two albums I'd probably like it a lot more.
Has a sound like Muse. Good alternative record. Don't see myself adding this to my regular rotation.
Very cool. I like how the vibe of the music changed several times throughout. Thought it was interesting and would listen again.
Tego Pana sie nie spodziewalem zobaczyc kolejny raz podczas przemierzania listy, a jednak kolejny Nick Cave uciekinier z najwiekszej na swiecie kolonii karnej, moze nawet nie uciekinier, bo po prostu wrocil na mniejsza wyspe, no i kolejny raz z The Bad Seedsami, plyta z 2k04, ktora stara sie byc redempcyjnym arkiem pana Cave na liscie, ktorego mialem okazje poznac przy okazji sluchania jednej z najwiekszych abominacji listy, bo junkyarda, a tutaj taki podwojny album Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus blisko gdzina dwadziescia dwie minuty na siedemnastu trakach, a czemu redempcyjny ark, bo jakos kontent liryczny nasuwa na mysl jakies skojarzenia z poszukiwaniem odkupienia, ale na sposob pana ktory zaczynal jako punk, przeszedl przez bluesa i teraz pokazuje sie z synteza gospelu gotika i wspomnianego bluesa, od strony instrumentalnej The Bad Seeds w takim skladzie jak tutaj graja wydaje mi sie byc o wiele przystepniejszy niz na poprzednim the boatmans call, moze to kwestia tego ze tak potezny krazek byl nagrany w zaledwie 12 dni wydaje sie on grany jak najprosciej z licznym recyklingiem gitarowym, mialkimi zeby nie powiedziec nijakimi drumami, znaczaca robote robia tutaj muzycy sesyjni, ktory w tym wypadku sa jedynie wokalami wspierajacymi, wydaje mi sie, ze wlasnie takie uproszczenie od strony instrumentalnej to najlepsze co moglo sie przytrafic panu Nuckowi na tej plycie, bo wreszcie ma on dobre tlo dla swojej tworczosci lirycznej, ktora juz nawet na junkyardzie byla dziwna, ale jednoczesnie ambitna, a na tej plycie mozna go usyszec w takiej formie, ze potrafi pisac potezne kilkunasto zwrotkowce, jak i krotkie utwory ktore prawie w calosci stanowia partie refrenowe, co pokazuje nie tylko roznorodnosc stylu, ale tez fleksowanie materialu pod to co mozna sprzedac jako single, ktore nawet mozna zagrac w radio i nikt nie bedzie wiedzial o czym jest spiewane, a i tak bedzie nucil sobie pod nosem, tak jak chocby w przypadku there she goes, my beutiful world czy breathless, bo przeciez to takie lekkie milosne przyspiewki, ale obok nich mozna znalezc tez kawalki z motywami balu kanibali czy szukaniem katalogow niebieskich, w ogole fajny motyw sobie wymyslil na openingowym get ready for love, zycia wiara w boga, ale rowniez wzgardza dla jej wyznawcow, wiec typowe jest w tobie dwoch Cavow, jestes na nietopyrkowym zlocie, ale tak czy inaczej zrobil dobra robote zarowno przystepnie nieprzystepnymi lirykami czesto opartymi na poezji nie tylko wyspiarskiej, ale takze na o wiele starszych materialach zrodlowych, wokalami na ktorych potrafi momentami zaskoczyc i zmienic swoj typowy bluesowy flow, wiec ciesze sie, ze moglem sie przeprosic z banda tym pickiem, na plejke leci opening drugiej strony the lyre of orpheus, a z pierwszej czesci messiah ward
Didn't love this, not my genre. Lots of pretty songwriting but the instrumental and production loses me.
not really sure how to rate this honestly, some of the songs were really good, others i just didnt get. giving this a 3 as a baseline, i guess.
That was better than I thought it would be, and longer than it should have been. 6-minute songs mean that these guys couldn't edit.
Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (2004) High praise for the lyrics: The themes are not theologically squeamish, and the poetry is just ambiguous enough to invite whatever your worldview into the passenger seat for a joyride. And it’s a nice musical ride, with dirty textures, plenty of dynamic variation, and better than average female-heavy backing vocals. These singers provide an essential function, because Nick Cave’s lead vocals sound like Dick Shawn, which is to say they’re not very good. Some of these tracks could have used orchestral backing (“Supernaturally” and “Carry Me” point in the right direction, but even they could be improved). His attempt to channel Leonard Cohen (“Messiah Ward”, and several other tracks here) is less than convincing, but a good effort nonetheless. It’s always nice to emulate the masters, even if the results are a bit disappointing. But the music weaves in and out with passable rock progressions and stylings, although the studio recording lacks separation, resulting in a flat sound that tries to generate a small venue feel. It doesn’t work. Where’s Brian Eno when you need him? “There She Goes, My Beautiful World” is highly referential and poetically nice, but unmelodic and arranged like a Broadway cast production (think “Hair” or “Jesus Christ Superstar”). It seems like it’s caught in the wrong millennium. The two (!) title tracks “Abattoir Blues” and “The Lyre of Orpheus” are of special interest, because they are well crafted and thought provoking, best appreciated for their lyrical content—certainly not for musical excellence. “Abattoir Blues” is a pessimistic lament over the sad state of the world’s regrettable “evolutionary trajectory” and the protagonist’s sad attempt to be what his lover needs. “Orpheus” provides a grim take on the story of the legendary Thracian bard, whose musical instrument is, in this case, violently destructive, with birds detonating and bunnies dashing out their brains, even to the point of causing the death of his beloved Eurydice, and pissing off God in the process. The underworld in this version becomes a haven for Orpheus and Eurydice to raise a large family. But, she screams, “If you play that f***ing thing down here I’ll stick it up your orifice”. Very interesting. “Easy Money” is a doleful dirge about how money that grows on trees has attendant characteristics that result in rhetorically sodomitic horror. This too is something to ponder. One could learn to like this album, but will take several listens. 3/5
3.6 - Downtempo white gospel delivered with a smoldering baritone. Songs in a minor key, with simple chord structures, punctuated by a choir to reinforce a lyrical line. Words that seem to be lifted from the Bible. The consistency of this aesthetic through the course of this album’s 72 minutes gives it a gravitas though a few songs in, it definitely sounds same-y. By the end, the performance borders on schtick. I waiver a lot on my feelings towards Nick Cave sometimes thinking he’s brilliant but often feeling like he’s severely overrated as an icon of chic artistry. For me, this record is one that falls more in that latter description.
I'm not the greatest Nick Cave fan but there were quite a few golden moments across this album. I probably won't delve any deeper but now I know there are some good albums to put on in the background
I was happy to see this pop up. I was sad to listen to it. This kind of amorphous storytelling doesn't do it for me. Enough about the wisteria...
It's 80 minutes long, but it wasn't an exhausting listen. Of course, that's because I listened to it in two sittings, one per disc. It's pretty dumb, but I figured it's easier that way. However, it only felt appropriate not because it's a double album, but because the two discs have a clear distinction to each other. "Abattoir Blues" is quite enjoyable. I loge the gothic undertones and the Tom Wait-sy energy. It sometimes gives me a Celtic folk rock vibe. While "The Lyre of Orpheus" is as poetic as its title. It also has the Tom Wait-sy vibes, in fact, it's stronger here. The sound is stripped down and most of the punch comes from the lyrics and the way it is delivered. Overall, fascinating at its best. It can be boring, but it's not annoying.
Its an interesting concept and I like it a lot better than the last Nick Cave album that was generated for me (Release The Bats). Has some great soul vibes and don't mind the gospel references too. That being said it musically felt the same for a lot of it, which over a double album for someone who isn't that familiar with Nick Cave, gets a bit tedious.
Ik ben niet zo lyrisch als de rest, maar heb ook geen volledige afkeer zoals Anke. Ik kies dus voor de gulden middenweg.
Wait, how did Harry and Hermione dance to this last song in 1997 if it didn't come out until 2004? 6/10. I was pleasantly surprised that this wasn't a mopey snoozefest like the other Nick Cave album I've heard, but I can't say I liked more than the occasional song, and most of the songs I liked still went on too long.
Out of the gate, great energy and style. I just wish the lead vocals would convey the same energy and emotion. Such a grating voice makes this a tedious listen. Plus for songwriting, instrumentation, and performances - I really want to like this but the vocals are keeping me from rating this higher. It already sounds like goofy villian music, why not lean into that and emote? Standouts: Nature Boy, Spell
Een dubbel album waarvan ik deel 1 een stuk beter vind dan deel 2. Iets steviger, en atypischer voor Nick.
I honestly can't believe a Nick Cave album from 2004 needs to be in the list. Sigh. And of course it goes for almost an hour and a half. I'm getting pretty sick of listening to music I don't really like, haha. And yeah... there are a few ok songs on this, but mostly it's that annoying "dark" Nick Cave gen x shit I just don't care about. I dunno whether to give it a 2 or 3 - if it was just one album it'd be a 3, I think. But it just goes nowhere for far too long, and Cave's shtick bores me. 2/5.
Nick Cave has the same vibe as Tom Waits which doesn't work with me as much as I want it to
Hard to get into. Feels like you need to really absorb lyrics but the music and voice doesn’t make me want to dive in. Feels like it insists upon itself.
A good record, but not my bag. A bit too long, but some songs make for some serene night driving. STANDOUTS: -Get Ready for Love -Cannibal’s Hymn -Hiding All Away -The Lyre of Orpheus -Babe, You Turn Me On -Supernaturally -O Children
How to rate something that I couldn't listen to for more than 3 songs? Its not necessarily bad, just not to my taste. Trying to be as objective as possible
Didn’t really get on with this album. Seemed like there was too much going on in every song.
A mí como que no me entonó este trip. Soy muy fan de Nick Cave pero este disco doble está muy cansado de escuchar y no enganché realmente. El coro femenino tampoco me gustó. Me gustó Cannibal’s Hymn y Hiding All Away del Abattoir Blues. The Lyre of Orpheus es brutal. Carry Me también me gustó. O Children es Bella. Creo que no es una buena forma de entrarle al Nick Cave pero bueno.
Everyone's favorite edgy guy is back! Honestly didn't like this as much as Murder Ballads, even if I was kinda looking forward to hearing his (more) normal music. This didn't make much of an impact on me, and was too long to focus on it well enough
I listened to this whole fucking double album and I don't remember a single thing about it
This album is white rice. Bland. Could I live off it for every meal? Technically yes, although likely with some severe vitamin deficiencies. Would I ever choose it for my next meal? No, not unless there were a tasty main dish paired with it. I know 1001 albums are a lot, but I cannot understand how this is on the list. I do not care for the lead singer’s voice. Even the Wikipedia page had nothing remarkable to offer. No ground breaking aspect to speak of. Just plain white rice.
The lyrics are interesting and I generally like the music, but combined they create something that I definitely wouldn't listen to again.
Con éste vato es raro a veces me late a veces no... en éste me dio weba terminar el disco.
This really isn't it for me. Kind of surprised how many track plays some songs have too on Spotify to be honest. 4/10.
Just awful. Clunking and dull. Voice is painful to listen to. Some of the lyrics OK so should probably have just written this stuff down and entered high school poetry contest instead.
Kinda reminds me of Leonard Cohen. Not much of a fan. The melodies are not very melodic, and I like that in a song.
More aggressive out the gate than I was expecting. Get Ready For Love is a wall of noise. Got an oogy-boogy psycho circus kinda feel. Track 2 is a ballad with mouth harps. Ooh, the drums just kicked in. It's a good one. Feels deserty. Track 2 is thumping, yes melancholic and beautiful. Track 3, There Is A War Comin, has big stomps and gospel choirs. Track 4, Messiah Ward, brings more chill and interesting sounds. Steady slow beat. There She Goes My Beautiful World, big production, not very interesting. All these songs are too long. All in all, I dislike the bombastic songs and much prefer the quieter ones.
Absolutely not a good fit for my mood today. Under other circumstances, I still wouldn't like it very much, but I wouldn't loathe it the way I do 1 star entries. 2 stars.
Oh no, it's another Nick Cave album. And it's a fucking hour and a half long, oh god. Okay, I'll give it a go, but if it's as bad as the previous one I will just skip my way through it. First song is decent, but song 2 is already annoying again. The music is okay; every time a song starts I start getting into it, but I guess there is just something about his voice that is not for me. He just sounds very constipated on most of the songs, especially those on Volume 2. Overall Volume 1 was ok-ish, but just not for me. 2 stars, I guess?
Oli jo vähän parempaa Nickiä, kun vertaa siihen älämölölevyyn, joka kulki jollain toisella nimellä. Mutta ei tällä kuuhun menty
This was my first time listening to a full album from Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds. I've heard a few tracks from Nick Cave, and the band The Birthday Party was a previous suggestion on this list - so I've heard music from Cave before. I still don't like it. Most of the album was trying to reach up towards okay. Cave's music is dark and gloomy, putting many of his tracks in the "don't like" category. "Fable of the Brown Ape" sealed the deal on this album. It's the worst of what I don't like from Cave.
It certainly wasn't horrible to listen to, but I wouldn't want to hear it again. No recognized songs
I only knew 'Into My Arms' before this album - I expecting more of that vibe. The gothic rock took me by surprise! Not for me, but I can see what they were going for. I enjoyed 'There She Goes, My Beautiful World', it was more upbeat than the rest. 2.5 stars, really but I doubt I'll return so 2 stars it is.
This double album is the 13th from Australian alt rock band Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. The first half of the double album - 'Abattoir Blues' - is the more rock and roll themed side with a bluesy feel. While the second half - 'The Lyre of Orpheus' - is gentler, quieter, and more elegant. This album was an interesting step into gothic rock for me. Not sure how I like it, but the music on this album was a great listen either way.
Not my favorite story album. Some decent songs but some are quite abrasive and melancholy without being touching.
Not a great singer, backing singers overused, just annoying after not too long. Enjoyed Let The Bells ring (no backing singers - thank fuck). It's ok, doubt I'd listen to it again. Oh and it's a long listen. Brevity Nick, brevity.
This album is musically excellent. I can hear that this should be a classic, but for some reason I just couldn't get into the vibe of this one. Individually I think some tracks would be enjoyable, but as a whole the double album feels like a bit of a slog to sit through. Maybe I'm in the wrong headspace, maybe it's just not for me.
Couldn't get into this. Nick Cave's voice doesn't do it for me, and I just wasn't feeling the emotion behind the songs. 2.5/5 stars
Some good stuff here. A bit bloated with non-essential tracks. That's what a double album can do. I'm sure people out there love the whole thing.
0/3 for Nick Cave albums for me. Lead off track was fine, but the rest was more of the same. Double albums are exhausting.
Songs that are stories Fable of the Brown Ape was mad funny and I actually liked it The Lyre of Orpheus was also good Nature Boy was good Overall good, just not something I'd listen to really
Just felt pretentious and too much for me. Occasionally a song or two would have good moments, but not enough to bring me back to this one.
I always enjoy listening to a Nick Cave song. I never enjoy listening to more than one Nick Cave song.
More than most artists, the music on Nick Cave's albums exists mostly as a backdrop to his lyrics. As such, the music should not compete with Cave and should contribute to and deepen the impact of his lyrics. I don't claim to be a Nick Cave expert, but a perfect example of this synergy is Murder Ballads, which is also on the 1001 list. Abbatoir Blues/ The Lyre of Orpheus, as it's title would suggest, is actually two albums released in one package. I'll discuss Abbatoir Blues first. The music is problematic in that it tends to distract from the lyrics. On the first song, you can barely hear the lyrics through the distortion of rock 'n roll instrumentation and a choir, both recorded deep into the red. The rest of the album is better in that respect, but not by much. And the music isn't interesting enough to justify the imposition. It's standard song structure, standard instrumentation (with the exception of the omnipresent chorus and the distortion), nothing noteworthy. The whole thing gave me a headache and bored me, sound and fury signifying nothing. On The Lyre of Orpheus, the balance is a bit better. You can actually hear the lyrics. Unfortunately, Cave isn't in very good form, lacking the wit and storytelling verve that was so evident on Murder Ballads. Here, he's just unpleasant and mean. Again, the music is nothing special, although that's hardly the point. I'm sorry to report that Abattoir Blues/ The Lyre of Orpheus is a drag.
82 whole minutes of tedious dad rock. Life's too short to spend finding anything else to say about this. According to the list, everything Nick Cave ever recorded will need to be endured and evaluated before we all die.
While I was a little interested by some of the more beefheart moments, I found it excruciatingly annoying and turned it off after 4 tracks.
I have an irrational dislike of Nick Cave, don't know when it started, so the idea of an 80 minute double album does not appeal in the slightest. I lasted about 25 minutes.
This is the second album I've gotten from this band, but I just really don't care for them.
Could not get into this album at all, so disjointed. Really don’t under what all the fuss is about with nick cave
Although I like Some of Nick Cave. I can’t quite get the whole experience. I think it’s something I need to see live first.